Legal action against violators!

TDT | Manama

A warning has been reiterated that legal action will be taken against those who do not adhere to precautionary measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This follows the registration of 15,666 violations for not wearing face masks in public—including in shops—since the implementation of the decision, according to Public Security Operations and Training Affairs assistant chief Brigadier Dr Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Dr Shaikh Hamad noted that following all preventive measures in combatting COVID-19 embodies the highest forms of mutual support and cooperation in society, in line with national efforts to limit the virus’ spread.

The assistant chief stressed the keenness of the Ministry of Interior to support these efforts and harness all capabilities to succeed in the plans and programmes designed to fight the pandemic, emphasising that penalties will be handed out to those who violate these procedures.

Dr Shaikh Hamad pointed out that the violations of not wearing face masks in public is being strictly monitored by police directorates and government departments across the Kingdom. He explained that the Northern Governorate Police Directorate has recorded 3,513 violations for not wearing face masks, while the Capital Governorate Police Directorate has recorded 2,782 violations.

In the Muharraq Governorate, its police directorate registered 4,133 violations, while in the Southern Governorate, there were 2,299 violations. Each of the governorates are also carrying out extensive awareness campaigns, with security patrols educating people in local markets and parks, while providing them with informative brochures in several languages.

The Capital Governorate has also distributed 4,200 meals to migrant workers, while Southern Governorate officials have been accompanying the General Directorate of Civil Defence in inspecting buildings to check on the conditions of the shared accommodations of expatriate labour workers.

Dr Shaikh Hamad further noted that the main operations room of the Public Security has received 10,856 reports related to coronavirus violations, with patrols penalising 2,842 individuals for not wearing face masks in public places and stores. In addition, it has assisted in the management of mobile COVID-19 testing.

Meanwhile, security teams at Bahrain’s entry points have recorded 97 violations for not wearing a face mask. It has also carried out 84 missions to facilitate the procedures for evacuating citizens and residents from abroad, dealing with a total of 7,545 passengers, said Dr Shaikh Hamad.

A total of 132 missions were also undertaken to facilitate the evacuation of citizens of other countries from the Kingdom, with 11,470 passengers from April 7 to July 18, in addition to ensuring the examination of 53,926 travellers coming from abroad from February 5 to July 18.